“Better? How are you moving the boat?” I asked.

“Ah, I am afraid I can’t give away too much. The details are still a secret.” He replied.

I nodded. It was disappointing but understandable.

“So, what do you do?” Cassie asked Derrick.

“Ah, I have some small investments but mostly I work for my father. I am currently on the way to the Duchy of Barkworth, to negotiate a deal for their wood.” He replied.

“Why do you need their wood?” I asked.

“While we do have our own forests, the trees from the Korrah Forest are special. Their quality is simply unmatched. My family owns quite a few ships. While we don’t have any ambitious goals, like using metal, we try to use the best wood.” He explained, then he looked at Cassie. “I heard you are into alchemy.”

“Yes.” She confirmed. “It’s a passion of mine. Especially explosions.”

Our conversation stopped as the servants returned. They brought each of us a bowl of soup. It looked really creamy but… I shuddered and pushed it away from me.

“Is something wrong?” Christopher asked.

“I dislike mushrooms.” I said. There were plenty inside the soup.

“Oh, my apologies! We have ordered a fixed menu but I can tell the chef to prepare something else…” He was about to get up but I held up my hand to stop him.

“It is fine. Don’t worry.” I said with a smile. He seemed genuinely upset but I did not consider it a big deal. I could just eat the next part of the menu. And the appetisers had been tasty.

“As you wish.” He said. “Are there any other foods any of you dislike? I do apologize for not inquiring before the dinner.”

“Nothing particular, no.” Helena replied.

“See, I told you we could just order from the menu.” Derrick teased his friend.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Christopher shook his head. “That is why you are still single. You have no idea how to treat a lady.”

“You are single as well.” Derrick countered.

“Ah, but unlike you, I am not trying to change that.” Christopher said.

Derrick sighed. “I am not trying that hard to change it either.” He looked at Cassie. “I apologize, my father has arranged this. I don’t disagree with his reasoning. You would be a great match. Your bloodline is strong and you inherit your mother’s title. Your connections would be a bonus as well. Actually, my father would likely not object if I courted Koyuki herself. But I have never cared that much about politics. I like my life the way it is.”

“A bold admission for the son of a duke.” Helena mused.

He laughed. “My father would have a fit if he heard me say that.”

Cassie grinned. “We have blackmail material now!”

Derrick blinked. “Uh…”

“She is joking.” Skadi said. Derrick looked relieved but Skadi continued: “She would just poison you if you displeased her.”

Skadi looked serious. Nothing on her face indicated that she was joking. Cassie grinned evilly.

I decided to join the fun. “That is why we are such good friends. She supplies me with corpses.”

Even Christopher looked lost now. Then I started giggling. The men looked relieved as the girls joined me and laughed.

After Cassie stopped laughing she said: “Since we are being honest, I have no intention of marrying any man. I am just here because my mother threatened my alchemy allowance.”

“You have been a pleasant surprise though.” I said.

“Thank you.” Derrick replied.

“You could stall both of your parents by agreeing to another meeting in the future.” Helena suggested.

“I am not sure…” Cassie replied.

Derrick considered it. “I would be willing to accept something like that. We could agree to another meeting, some time in the future. We can drag it out a bit, since I am rather busy anyway. We can’t keep the ruse up forever but we might get at least a few months of peace.”

“Hm.” Cassie pondered the idea.

“Go for it. You have nothing to lose.” Skadi suggested.

“Fine.” Cassie agreed.

The servants returned and served the next course. It was a nice steak with some cubed and fried potatoes on the side. After tasting one, I discovered that they had been brushed with butter. The meat was extremely tender and cooked to perfection. It was served with a red wine.

“This is delicious.” I said.

Christopher nodded, he looked pleased that I enjoyed the food. “They do have great steaks here.”

“So, why did you join Derrick for this meeting?” Helena asked.

“Ah. I actually had business here as well, so we travelled together. With Cassie bringing friends it was fitting. And he is hopeless in choosing a proper restaurant.” Christopher said.

“Look, not everyone is as obsessed with food as you are.” Derrick replied.

“Good food makes life worth living.” Christopher replied.

“Meow.”

We all looked at Nyx. Who was watching us from the back of Chariot and licked her lips.

“Um… does your skeleton eat?” Christopher inquired.

“She does not need food, she lives on mana. But she eats bones. I suppose she eats any body parts that contain mana, actually. ” I shrugged. “She is a tier three undead. I think she enjoys eating, like we do.”

“A tier three?” Derrick sounded surprised. “No wonder people are so interested in you.”

“What is a tier three undead? I admit I know very little about necromancy.” Christopher asked.

“It means she is fully sentient.” I replied.

“She can talk?” He asked, looking shocked.

“Meow.”